TOOLS OF THE TRADE
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Pratley celebrates three generations of innovation A global leader in adhesives, electrical, and mineral solutions, Pratley is celebrating a legacy of innovation and industry leadership spanning three generations. Established in 1948 by
“However, one must guard against blindly following tradition. The world is changing faster than ever before, with new technologies constantly emerging. Adaptability and agility in a fast-changing world are paramount. We continue to keep our independence, and we like it. It gives us the ability to respond rapidly to change and seize opportunities and innovation quickly,” says Charles Pratley. Pratley’s dedication to its clients and partners is reinforced by its sales team, which maintains strong, face-to-face connections in an era where personal interaction is increasingly rare. The team is known not only for offering expert advice on Pratley’s own products but also for providing broader technical solutions when appropriate, strengthening trust and loyalty across its customer base. As a company deeply rooted in innovation, Pratley fosters a culture that empowers employees to share ideas directly with senior management, ensuring that promising concepts are rapidly developed and implemented. This collaborative approach adds to the company’s ability to anticipate and quickly respond to emerging trends. In its high-performance adhesives division, Pratley is responding to the growing demand for products that add value to sustainability, particularly those that encourage repairing or repurposing old or broken household items rather than discarding them. In Pratley’s eco-minerals division, the company’s Perlite and Zeolite-based products are increasingly recognised for their role in addressing energy and resource challenges, particularly relevant in South Africa’s resource-constrained environment. These products directly support sustainability goals and include thermally insulating construction products, water filtration products, farm feed
George ‘Monty’ Pratley, the company has remained true to its heritage of research and development (R&D), while continuously adapting to new technologies and market demands. “The company was built on a foundation of R&D, which remains a cornerstone. We like to think of ourselves as an R&D company first and foremost, and we do plenty of it. We have always liked developing products with unique features and attributes that set them apart from others in the market. These principles continue to remain at the core of what we do,” says CEO Andrew Pratley. This unwavering commitment to R&D has positioned Pratley at the forefront of high-performance adhesives, electrical terminations, and eco-mineral product development. The company operates some of the most advanced laboratories in the Southern Hemisphere, ensuring that its products not only outperform competitors but also comply with strict quality and policy standards. Active membership in leading industry organisations such as the South African Flame Association (SAFA), the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECASA) further underscores Pratley’s role in shaping best practices and guiding industry development. Heritage is a central part of Pratley’s success story. With 77 years in business, the company continues to draw valuable lessons from its history while remaining agile in a fast-changing world. “Heritage is important, as many lessons can be learned from the company’s long history,” notes COO Charles Pratley.
Andrew Pratley, CEO (left), with Charles Pratley, COO.
heart of its success. “A company is gauged by the company it keeps, and in that aspect, we keep very good people. Without people in a company, it ceases to exist,” concludes Charles Pratley. With its unique blend of heritage, adaptability, and forward-thinking innovation, Pratley continues to drive industry standards, inspire confidence, and strengthen its reputation as a leader in high-performance adhesives, electrical termination products, and eco-mineral solutions, both in South Africa and across the globe.
additives, and more. Over the decades, Pratley has built a reputation for reliability, sound advice, and pioneering solutions that inspire confidence across industries. “We have built up a very loyal customer base over the years, but loyalty should never be taken for granted. We therefore continue to develop products and services that focus on reliability and can be trusted to get the job done. I also believe that people view Pratley as a pillar of South African innovation, and we aim to keep that legacy for many years to come,” adds Andrew Pratley. For Pratley, the greatest lesson from its 77-year history is clear: people are at the important safety features – the anti- restart function and electronic brake (kick-back user protection) that shuts the grinder down if the rotation speed suddenly slows down. Makita’s DHR242ZJ cordless 18 V lithium- ion rotary hammer features three-mode operation utilising an SDS-plus one- touch slide chuck – rotation only, rotation plus hammering, and hammering only – ensuring easy operation and handling. It measures 328 mm in length, with a 24 mm capacity in concrete, 13 mm in steel and 27 mm in wood. It features a no-load speed of 0–950 r/min and delivers 0–4,700 blows per minute. It is equipped with a brushless DC motor as well as extreme protection technology (XPT). Makita’s DJR187ZK cordless 18 V lithium-ion recipro saw has a high cutting efficiency and a cutting capacity in mild steel pipe of 130 mm and 255 mm in wood. The length of stroke is 32 mm and produces a variable speed of 0–3,000 strokes per minute. This model has an adjustable front shoe which maximises blade usage and a brushless DC motor, as well as an LED job light and a retractable joist hook. Makita’s DTM50ZK cordless 18 V lithium- ion multi-tool produces from 6,000–20,000 oscillations per minute. It has a variable
Enquiries: www.pratley.com
Makita’s choice of cordless tools for electrical contractors T ime and productivity are the two things that most of us put a high price on these days. Using a cordless tool multi-tools, and a flashlight. Makita’s DGA456ZJ cordless 18 V lithium- ion 115 mm angle grinder is just as capable as an electric grinder while providing the
speed control dial and a soft start, which allows for accurate landing of the blade on the surface of the workpiece. It has multi-angle settings (12 in total) from 0 to 360 degrees at 30-degree intervals, which allows for a wide range of applications. The on-off switch has been positioned so that you can turn it on and off with the finger of the same hand holding the grip. There are a host of accessories available (sold separately) for different applications and they are compatible with certain other brands of accessories. The DML801 cordless 18 V lithium- ion flashlight (240 lumens): when used with a fully charged Makita 18 V 6.0 Ah rechargeable battery, it will provide 20 hours on full brightness and 48 hours on half brightness, providing long and continuous illumination. This model has a rotatable and foldable light head, which enables you to use it as a compact lamp. The convenient metal hook (swivels a full 360 degrees) provides the option to hang the flashlight to illuminate dark areas. All the above 18 V Makita LXT models are compatible with the Makita 6.0 Ah (55 minutes charge time), 5.0 Ah (45 minutes charge time), 3.0 Ah (22 minutes charge time) and 1.5 Ah (15 minutes charge time) 18 V batteries. The batteries and chargers are sold separately.
gives you the advantage of working in any situation; all you need are your tools and charged batteries. Makita has highlighted a small selection of the 18 V cordless LXT tools that deliver performance and convenience for electrical contractors, including angle grinders, rotary hammers, recipro saws,
added advantage of being brushless. It delivers an impressive 8,500 r/min from the brushless DC motor, but generates less heat build-up and greater torque, making it ideal for prolonged use. The DGA456ZJ features a slide-type on-off switch with lock-on capability, plus two
Enquiries: www.makita.co.za
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
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